Public News Service

Community Action Kentucky workers helping deliver food. (Community Action Kentucky/Facebook)

The Economic Opportunity Act: 60 years of service to Kentuckians

This week marks the 60th anniversary of landmark anti-poverty legislation. The Economic Opportunity Act created a network of Community Action …

Nationwide, more than 2.8 million children received a lunch through the Summer Nutrition Programs on an average day in July 2023, a decrease of 170,926 children from July 2022, according to the Food Research and Action Center. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Report: More Kentucky kids participating in summer meal programs

The number of Kentucky kids who ate free breakfast and lunch through Summer Nutrition Programs jumped by 65% between the summers of 2022 and 2023…

In 2021, an estimated 352,000 children and adolescents younger than 20, or 35 per 10,000 U.S. youths, had diagnosed diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Childhood diabetes becoming more common in Kentucky

Experts say sedentary lifestyles, food insecurity, and other factors are driving an increase in childhood diabetes in Kentucky. Research shows …

Se calcula que en 2021, 352,000 ni�os y adolescentes menores de 20 a�os, es decir, 35 de cada 10,000 j�venes estadounidenses, ten�an diabetes diagnosticada, seg�n los Centros para el Control y la Prevenci�n de Enfermedades. (Adobe Stock)

Diabetes infantil cada vez más frecuente en Kentucky

Expertos afirman que los estilos de vida sedentarios, la inseguridad alimentaria y otros factores están impulsando un aumento de la diabetes …

A Kentucky bill to ban Broad Based Categorical Eligibility for the federal SNAP program would result in at least 21,400 children losing SNAP statewide and would threaten funding for meals at schools and child care centers, according to the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy. (Adobe Stock)<br />

KY School districts say SNAP Cuts legislation could worsen student hunger

Kentucky school districts say a proposed bill to tighten restrictions on SNAP participation will lead to an uptick in student hunger. House Bill 367 …

As grocery prices and cost-of-living expenses continue to rise, experts say more Kentuckians will rely on food banks. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Kentuckians Kick-Off Hunger Action Month

As anti-hunger advocates gather today at the state Capitol to launch Feeding Kentucky's Hunger Action Month kickoff, experts say the next Farm Bill --…

In 2021, some 53% of working adults ages 25 to 54 were parents, and more than a third of those parents had young children, according to a new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Adobe stock)

New Data Shows Well-Being of Kentucky Kids Worsens

The latest Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count Data Book shows Kentucky, along with other Appalachian and Southeastern states, ranks in the bottom …

According to AARP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program likely played a role in keeping the percentage of food-insecure Americans ages 50 and older stagnant during the pandemic, at around 9.5 million people nationwide. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Some Kentuckians Risk Losing SNAP Benefits in Debt-Ceiling Talks

More than 17,000 Kentuckians could lose food assistance when pre-pandemic SNAP work requirements go back into effect this summer, for adults between …

After finding out he had high blood pressure, Bowling Green resident Harlan Holmes went from a sedentary lifestyle to running marathons. (Holmes)

As COVID Subsides, Kentuckians Focus on Healthy Habits

The "Raise Your Guard" Campaign is encouraging Kentuckians to be more physically active, minimize stress, load up on fruits and vegetables, and …

Despu�s de descubrir que ten�a presi�n arterial alta, el residente de Bowling Green, Harlan Holmes, pas� de un estilo de vida sedentario a correr maratones. (Holmes)

Con subsidio COVID, habitantes de KY se centran en hábitos saludables

La campaña "Raise Your Guard" anima a los habitantes de Kentucky a ser más activos físicamente, minimizar el estrés, a comer …

A new report from Food Research & Action Center reveals nearly 1.6 million more children received school breakfast and 10.1 million more children received school lunch during the 2021-2022 school year compared with the previous school year. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Fewer Kentucky Kids Receiving School Meals

Preliminary data shows schools are serving fewer meals than they did last year, largely due to the end of nationwide pandemic-era waivers which …

Students who eat school breakfast, on average, achieve 17.5% higher math test scores and attend 1.5 more days of school per year, according to the nonprofit No Kid Hungry. (Adobe Stock)

KY School Nutrition Directors Face Red-Tape Hurdles Feeding Kids

Red tape and other hurdles are getting in the way, especially for those children who aren't getting nutritious meals at home, the people in charge of …

According to Feeding Kentucky, 70% of Kentucky households that are receiving SNAP have children, and 40% of them have an elderly person or someone living with a disability. (Adobe Stock)

Experts: Boost SNAP Purchasing Power in Next Farm Bill

Families are being forced to stretch their SNAP dollars due to inflation, and advocates say they want Congress to tackle the issue in the 2023 farm …

El presidente Joe Biden anunci� recientemente el objetivo de acabar con el hambre y aumentar la alimentaci�n saludable y la actividad f�sica para 2030. (Adobe Stock)

Estrategia de Casa Blanca 'Food As Medicine' expandirá esfuerzos en KY

La Casa Blanca recomienda "Food As Medicine" (Alimentos como Medicina) como parte de una nueva estrategia nacional para aumentar la alimentación …

President Joe Biden recently announced a goal of ending hunger and increasing healthy eating and physical activity by 2030. (Adobe Stock)<br />

White House 'Food As Medicine' Strategy Will Help Expand Local Efforts in KY

The White House is recommending "food as medicine" as part of a new nationwide strategy to increase healthy eating and reduce the number of Americans …

According to Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap report, nine out of 10 counties with the highest food insecurity rates are rural. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Innovation Lab Aims to Spur Creative Solutions to End Child Hunger

A new initiative is providing funding to individuals and grassroots groups across the Commonwealth with creative solutions to reduce hunger among rura…

More than 53 million people turned to food banks, food pantries and community programs for help putting food on the table in 2021, according to the nonprofit Feeding America. (Adobe Stock)

Inflation Pushes More Kentuckians to Rely on Food Pantries

September is Hunger Action Month, and experts say the issue of putting food on the table has never been more important, as families search for ways …

Save the Children staff at an elementary school in Perry County, preparing to distribute bottled water and supplies to residents. (Save the Children)

As Flood Recovery Continues, KY Kids Face Uncertain Start of School Year

Despite numerous challenges, eastern Kentucky schools and advocacy groups are working to make the upcoming school year as normal as possible and get …

Around 11 million people nationwide are eligible to receive benefits from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, which helps low-income families purchase infant formula (Adobe Stock).<br />

USDA Greenlights Online Infant Formula Shopping for WIC

Households receiving benefits from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children could be able to start shopping for …

An estimated one in five Americans relies on food banks for groceries, according to a 2020 analysis by Consumer Reports. (Adobe Stock)<br />

KY Food Bank Demand Rises Amid Inflation, Fuel Costs

Food banks are struggling to keep up operations as they contend with rising fuel costs, inflation and an uptick in demand driven by the end of …

Federal data released earlier this year finds more than 14% of households with children nationwide were food insecure during the height of the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

More KY Kids Could Go Hungry This Summer When Federal Waivers Expire

Federal waivers put in place at the height of the pandemic allowed federal child nutrition programs more flexibility in delivering meals to households…

More than 300 Kentucky farmers participated in the Farms to Food Banks programs last year. (Adobe Stock)

KY Officials Urge Expanding 'Farms to Food Banks', Upgrading Pantries

More than 300 Kentucky farmers participated in the state's Farms to Food Banks program last year, and at a recent virtual rally, state officials said …

The number of children in foster care in Kentucky increased to more than 53,000 between 2018-2020, according to the 2021 Kids Count County Data Book released by Kentucky Youth Advocates. (Adobe Stock)

Report: How Racial Disparities Impact KY Kids’ Well-Being

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- A new analysis of county-level data sheds light on how systemic racial disparities are affecting the wellbeing of kids in the …

Demand has skyrocketed for high-protein foods such as meat and poultry, foods least available to food-insecure individuals. (Adobe Stock)

Amid Inflation, Food Banks See Increased Demand for Protein-Rich Foods

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. - Anti-hunger advocates say inflation, supply-chain issues and a labor shortage are driving up the demand for protein, as the …

In April 2020, SNAP enrollment in Kentucky increased by 16% due to coronavirus pandemic-related layoffs. (Adobe Stock)

Experts: Pandemic EBT Grocery Money for Families Will Boost KY Economy

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- September is Hunger Action Month, and advocates say the latest round of federal Pandemic EBT and Summer EBT will give Kentucky's …

Data from the Pew Research Center showed about one third of veterans had trouble paying the bills after leaving the military, yet only 12% indicated they received food assistance from the government. (Adobe Stock)

Hunger Crisis Continues to Take Toll on Military Families, Vets

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- As the nation observes Memorial Day, advocates for military families and veterans said many are going hungry. A report by the …

The federal government plans to step up support for families facing hard times during the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Families Plan, Pandemic EBT Could Bring Relief for More KY Families

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Expanding child care, creating paid family and medical leave, and boosting health-care coverage affordability are just some of the …

The group Feeding America estimates this year, one in six children could experience food insecurity, meaning they're in families that don't always have enough food. (Adobe Stock)

SNAP Benefits Hike Will Help Feed More KY Kids

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Kentucky will soon receive an extra $12.8 million per month for its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits program…

Nationwide, more kids tell researchers they are struggling with loneliness and isolation one year into the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Report Highlights Deepening Crises for Many KY Kids

PIKEVILLE, Ky. -- Kentucky families are facing greater levels of food insecurity and economic instability one year into the coronavirus pandemic…

Many agriculture experts argue competition law hasn't addressed increasing buyer power, especially in the seed, hog, livestock, poultry, and dairy industries. (Adobe Stock)

Farmers Voice Support for Bill Tackling Monopoly Power

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Decades of unchecked mergers in the agricultural industry have left many farmers struggling, and rural advocacy groups says a …

Kentucky farmers receive on average $2,013 for participating in the state's Farms to Food Banks program. (Adobe Stock)

Farms to Food Banks Program Seen as “Lifeline” During Pandemic

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- As the food-insecurity crisis continues, Kentucky growers are stepping in to fill the void. Last year 371 farmers participated in …

Food insecurity and child hunger have skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic across the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Where Food Banks are Scarce, Semi-Trucks Fill Gap in Rural KY

BEREA, Ky. -- In a few weeks, the U.S. Department of Agriculture-run Farmers to Families Food Box Program will resume in at least eight counties…

In the pandemic economy, nearly one in eight U.S. households doesn't have enough to eat. (Adobe Stock)

Free School Meals Extended, But KY Food Banks Expect Rise in Need

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Kentucky kids can continue to receive free school meals through next June, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced…

A surge in hunger and food insecurity from the coronavirus pandemic is expected to have long-term societal effects. (Adobe Stock)

Pandemic Destroys Decade of Progress Ending Food Insecurity

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- In a few months, the COVID-19 pandemic has destroyed a decade of progress in the fight to end hunger in Kentucky, according to data …

Food insecurity among older adults and seniors has spiked during the COVID-19 crisis. (Adobe Stock)

As Pandemic Continues, Alarming Rise in Hunger Among KY Older Adults

OWENSBORO, Ky. -- The state's food banks say they're seeing an alarming number of adults approaching retirement age who need help putting food on the …

Around 60% of Kentucky schools provide students with free breakfast and lunch. (Adobe Stock)

School Meal Pick-Up Sites a Challenge for KY Families Without Transportation

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- School districts across the state are navigating how to ensure kids are being fed as school reopening is delayed or learning is …

Unemployment offices across the state have shut their doors in recent years, forcing out-of-work Kentuckians to travel long distances. (Adobe Stock)

Bill Pre-Filed to Reopen Dozens of Unemployment Offices

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Since 2017, more than thirty unemployment offices across the Commonwealth have shut their doors. Now, State Rep. Terri Branham Clark …

Kentucky farmers were deemed essential workers at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

KY Farmers Step Up to Meet Community Need During COVID-19

SCOTTVILLE, Ky. -- Many small-scale farmers in the Commonwealth have risen to the challenge of providing food for their communities during the …

A new report finds that 5.3 million seniors struggled with food insecurity in 2018 and hunger advocates say COVID-19 could worsen the situation. (Adobe Stock)<br />

More Older Adults in Kentucky Struggling with Hunger

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Kentucky has the highest rate in the nation of food insecurity among older adults, and that's likely to worsen amid the COVID-19 …

A World Food Programme report finds the coronavirus pandemic could double the number of people worldwide suffering from hunger. (Adobe Stock)

Food Banks Shift Operations to Reduce Contact, See Surge in Demand

FLORENCE, Ky. -- Demand for food is up by 40% statewide, as more families see their paychecks disappear and the economy dives into a recession…

More than 300 U.S. universities have closed campuses and shifted to online classes due to COVID-19. (Adobe Stock)

Appalachian Students Displaced by Outbreak Get a Lifeline

By Ivy Brashear Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan Reporting for the YES! Media-Kentucky News Connection Collaboration BEREA, Ky. -- Colleges and …

Nearly 700,000 Kentuckians, including almost 200,000 children, are uncertain where their next meal will come from. (Adobe Stock)

Governor Supports Helping KY Farmers Get Produce to Food Banks

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Gov. Andy Beshear and groups that work to end hunger rally today in Frankfort, highlighting the fact that one in seven Kentuckians …

More than a half-million families in the Commonwealth rely on the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to help them buy groceries. (Adobe Stock)

New Federal Rule Cuts SNAP Benefits for Adults without Dependents

FRANKFORT, Ky. – A change to federal requirements for participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or 'SNAP' bars states from …

One out of every five children in Kentucky doesn't have enough food to eat, according to Feeding Kentucky. This September is Hunger Action month. (Adobe Stock)

Regional Food Banks Raising Awareness of KY’s Prevalent Food Insecurity

OWENSBORO, Ky. – This September, food banks in Kentucky and across the country are taking part in Hunger Action Month, to highlight the fact …

In 2018, more than 3 million pounds of fresh produce were distributed to Kentuckians in need through the Farms to Food Banks program. (Adobe Stock)

Farmers Work with Local Food Banks to Feed Kentuckians Summer Produce

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Many Kentucky farmers are participating in a statewide program that channels produce to local food banks. The program –…

Kentucky ranks 41st in the country for participation in federally funded children's summer nutrition programs. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Report: More Kentucky Children Get Free Summer Meals

FRANKFORT, Ky. - More children in Kentucky are getting their breakfast and lunch through federally funded summer nutrition programs, according to a …

Kentucky's older adults experience the highest rates in the nation for food insecurity. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Kentuckians in 50s Have Nation's Highest Food Insecurity Rate

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentuckians in their 50s have the highest rate of food insecurity in the nation. According to a new report by the group …

According to the Kentucky Farm Bureau, family farms produce most of the state's agriculture. (Adobe Stock)

Facing Financial Pressure, KY Farmers Forced to Navigate Options

LEXINGTON, Ky. – With a downturn in the farm economy, many Kentucky farmers are under increasing financial pressure – and there's a new …

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - September 18, 2024

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KY: Hunger/Food/Nutrition